Duterte prioritizes repatriation of OFWs in Middle East – Go

Sen. Christopher Go attended on Sunay, Ja. 5, 2020, an emergency meeting called by President Rodrigo Duterte to assess the situation in the Middle East as tensions between the US and Iran rose. (Photo from Go’s office)

MANILA, Philippines — Repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East, if the situation there deteriorates, is the priority of President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

Go was present during an emergency meeting called by President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on Sunday.

The meeting was attended by, among others Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., the newly appointed chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The officials discussed the likely impact of the increasing tensions in the Middle East on Filipinos, especially those who are working there.

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“Nagpatawag na si Pangulong Duterte ng meeting kasama ang chief of staff ng AFP kung ano ang magiging epekto nito sa ating bansa at sa ating seguridad,” Go said on Sunday, shortly after the meeting.

According to Go, President Duterte ordered the AFP to be prepared to deploy military assets to repatriate overseas Filipinos in the Middle East, particularly from Iran and Iraq, at a moment’s notice, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other concerned agencies.

“Hindi na makaantay ang Pangulo na sa Martes pa pag-usapan sa Command Conference ang sitwasyon sa Middle East kung kaya siya nagpatawag ng emergency meeting ngayon. Mabuti na prepared tayo mag-repatriate ng ating mga kababayan if necessary. Iyan ang prayoridad ng Pangulo,” Go explained.

[The President could not wait for Tuesday’s Command Conference to discuss the situation in the Middle East. So he called for an emergency meeting today. It’s good for us to be prepared to repatriate our countrymen if necessary. That’s the President’s priority.]

Go added that concerned agencies were also instructed to prepare contingency measures and identify other nearby safe countries where affected overseas Filipinos could be repatriated and all other contingencies in case it would be too difficult to bring them back to the Philippines.

The senator assured the public that the government would take all steps possible to ensure the security of Filipinos in the country and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially in the Middle East.

“Patuloy nating minamanmanan ang sitwasyon sa Middle East, lalo na sa Iran. Nasa interes ng Pilipinas na panatilihin ang peace and stability in the region. Our concern clearly is on the safety and security of Filipinos in that country and the region,” Go said.

[We continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East, especially in Iran. It’s in the interest of the Philippines to maintain peace and stability in the region. Our concern clearly is on the safety and security of Filipinos in that country and the region.]

According to Go, the President considers the situation with utmost concern and hopes that things will stabilize, with the support of all regional and global stakeholders.

“The President has directed relevant agencies to prepare for any eventuality and possible impact on the country. As your Senator, I will support all efforts of PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] to safeguard and protect our national interests in the Middle East,” Go said.

Very recently, relevant government agencies, including the DFA, were instructed to closely monitor and report developments in Iraq, Iran and other parts of the Middle East.

/atm